GREAT LOVE

Year-end Blessing Ceremony The Year-end Blessing Ceremony is an important event held annually at the end of the Lunar Year. On this occasion, all Tzu Chi volunteers and monthly donors would get together to listen to Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, receive her blessings, and be informed with Tzu Chi’s work for the past one year. As a tradition, Master Cheng Yen would distribute red envelopes to Tzu Chi volunteers and monthly donors as a token of gratitude and blessings for their contributions. They are funded through the Master’s book royalties. Buddha Bathing Ceremony Every year, on the second Sunday of May, Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide would hold the 3-in-1 celebration of Buddha’s Day, Mother’s Day and Tzu Chi’s Day to express gratitude to the Buddha, mothers and all sentient beings. In the ceremony, participants pay respect to the Buddha by bowing reverently and dipping their fingers in the water, which is akin to touching the Buddha’s feet. They will then receive a fragrant flower, symbolizing the redolence of Buddha’s virtue abiding forever in our hearts. Prayer Service in the Auspicious Seventh LunarMonth According to Buddhist scriptures, the seventh lunar month is not only an auspicious month, but also a month of gratitude, filial piety and joy. Tzu Chi would hold prayers at various communities to encourage everyone to observe the right faith, thus refrain from offering meat and burning joss sticks and paper money. Great Love 49